2011 RICE FOR THE HOLIDAYS

MHLA is pleased to continue to provide “Rice for the Holidays” to the residents of Maui, Molokai and Lanai. Coordinating the distribution of 25,000 lbs of rice is no simple task and we are grateful to our many partners who assisted in this worthy endeavor. Costco graciously placed a special order of 10 palettes of 5-lb bags of rice. Young Brothers provided the inter-island shipping. And assisting with the trucking were Island Movers, Lanai Trucking and Molokai’s Friendly Market Center. Also contributing, Expeditions provided ferry service for us to personally hand out the rice on Lanai.

On Lanai, alongside Jim & Rand Coon of Trilogy – MHLA provided 1,000 bags of rice and Trilogy passed out 1,000 turkeys on Saturday, November 19. In addition, joining in on the giving were Bank of Hawaii and Young Brothers who each gave away recyclable shopping bags, Mayor Alan Arakawa provided backscratcher/shoe horns, the Maui Fire Department provided free keiki ID’s and the Maui Police Department provided free keiki car seat inspections.

With the assistance of our friends from the Molokai Chamber of Commerce Foundation, we distributed 1,000 bags of rice to the residents of Molokai on Saturday, December 3 during their festive annual event entitled “Happy Holidays Molokai Style.” We also coordinated with the Maui Fire Department to provide hundreds of free keiki ID’s to our neighbors from the Friendly Isle.

To the residents of Maui, 1,400 bags were donated to the Maui Food Bank and another 1,400 bags were donated to Feed My Sheep where we hope to make a difference on our island. 

Expanding our reach this year, 100 bags were taken to Hana and distributed by our friends from Travaasa Hana Resort and Hale Hulu Mamo in Hana on Saturday, December 3.
The Visitor Industry is honored to give back to the residents of Maui, Molokai and Lanai. Rice is a staple for many and we hope to touch as many lives as possible with a donation of 5,000 bags of rice during this holiday season.